Quarantine violator charged after defying Sars order

Singapore Straits Times ^ | May 3, 2003

[Mr. Mulliner]

MAY 3, 2003

Quarantine violator charged after defying Sars order

SINGAPORE -- Police on Saturday filed criminal charges against a man who defied a home quarantine order, signalling the Government's determination to enforce an all-out campaign against Sars.

Chua Hock Seng, a jobless and single 50-year-old, was charged in court while being held in isolation at the central police station after being arrested late on Friday at a coffee shop where his presence had caused alarm.

Some 3,000 people are currently under home quarantine for observation after having been potentially exposed to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) virus, for which there is no cure or vaccine.

They have to stay home for observation for 10 days, believed to be the incubation period of the virus. Most quarantined persons are cleared after the waiting period.

The arrest of Chua, who is not classified as a suspected Sars case, followed the passage of tougher quarantine laws, including hefty fines and up to a year in jail for violators, under the Infectious Diseases Act.

Sars has claimed 25 lives and infected at least 203 people in Singapore.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on Friday lashed out at 'selfish' people hampering the campaign against Sars, and described Chua's acts as 'madness.'

As a precautionary measure, Chua was kept in the central police station when he was charged on Saturday and linked to the court via speaker phone.

Speaking in the Hokkien through an interpreter, Chua asked police to bring him home to collect his medicine and records, and allow him to check into the Singapore General Hospital for an examination.

'My legs are swollen right now. I need the medication. I am feeling very cold in the lock up and I am also having a fever,' he claimed, adding that he needed to look after his illiterate 75-year-old mother.

But the judge denied his request and sent him to a detention centre until his case is heard again on May 9.

Chua was seen drinking at the coffee shop and sparked panic on Wednesday night by showing off his quarantine order after having had one too many.

He was spotted again on Friday and a concerned citizen notified the police. -- AFP

[Mr. Mulliner]

It's interesting to compare Singapore and China. Nither one has great civil liberties by US standards, but Singapore is at least using its government power effectively against SARS. In China, SARS is still very much out of control, it seems.

[aruanan]

In China, SARS is still very much out of control, it seems.

Since SARS has never been under control, it can't be said to be out of control.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Well, that's not correct. If I'd said that it had "gotten out of control," you'd be right. But I don't want this to be a discussion about grammar.